Senate and House agree with Delegate Shin: Close the coverage gap, expand independent living with dignity

RICHMOND, Va. – Today the Senate passed Delegate Irene Shin’s legislation (HB 2038) expanding health care to some of the most vulnerable Virginians. This bill provides adults with incapacitating disabilities with the option to live in a group home setting or independent living facility. Currently, these adults are required to live with their parents in order to be eligible for state employee insurance coverage plans.

“Adults with disabilities deserve the option to live independently with dignity without losing coverage on their parent’s insurance coverage.” Delegate Shin said. “With the passage of HB 2038, employees of the Commonwealth will have the same extended independent-living coverage options that are available to many who receive private insurance coverage.”

Like many of the best legislative ideas, this bill came from a constituent. In a routine inquiry from her Office of Constituent Services, Delegate Shin and her staff discovered that there was a coverage gap in state employee public insurance coverage.

Delegate Shin worked with her constituent, disability advocates, state employee organizations, and the Department of Human Resource Management in her effort to close the coverage gap.

HB 2038 passed the Senate and House unanimously. If signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin, HB 2038 would take effect July 1st of 2023.